FOXTROTTER - HISTORY

The Missouri Fox
Trotter was developed during the 19th century by settlers
who needed easy riding, durable mounts that could travel long
distances, were sure-footed, and could cover a lot of ground at a
good gait.Pioneers who
poured across the Mississippi River and settled in the Ozarks came
largely from Tennessee, Kentucky, and
Virginia.Naturally they brought along saddle horses, popular in those
areas.It soon became
apparent that horses able to perform the easy, broken gait called
the Fox Trot were the most useful in the rocky, forest covered hills
of the Ozarks, and selective breeding of the Fox Trot gait began.

The
distinguishing characteristic of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse is
the Fox Trot gait; the horse walks with the front feet and trots
with the hind feet.This
extremely sure-footed gait gives the rider little jar since the hind
feet slide into place.
The Fox Trot is a rhythmic gait and the horse can maintain it for
long periods of time with little fatigue.The Missouri Fox Trotter also performs a rapid flat foot walk
and a delightful canter.

In addition to
their gait, Fox Trotters are known for their gentle dispositions and
willing attitudes.They
make excellent trail horses and are ridden in competition, endurance
and pleasure riding.
They are used by hunters and forest rangers for their endurance and
sure-footedness in rugged terrain, by ranchers for their versatility
and intelligence, and on Hollywood
movie sets for their gentle nature.The have earned a reputation as a horse for all situations.